Pinterest Addiction

Fellow romantic suspense author Shiloh Walker introduced me to Pinterest when it was still in its beta version and participants had to be issued and invitation. I don’t know whether to thank Shiloh or curse her!

I go through social media “phases” where sometimes I’m more active on Twitter, sometimes on Facebook, but Pinterest is one of those places where I visit at least once a day and just enjoy the visual aesthetics. Maybe I like it because I’m a visual person. I don’t have a fraction of the followers on Pinterest as the other social media sites, but that doesn’t bug me because Pinterest is something I do more for me than for readers.

I have boards for each of my series, a board for “romantic thrillers” in general, setting, writing in general, and my books … but I also have boards for television and movies, rooms I like, home improvement, recipes, my favorite quotes, my “inner geek” and more.

One of the newest pinners I’ve been following is going to destroy my diet if I let it … a sharable board for Southern Cuisine. OMG, the recipes are to die for. Another great place for those of us watching our fat and calories is Skinnytaste, which has a website and fabulous board. I’ve tried several of these recipes as well, and the Santa Fe Crock Pot Chicken is one of my favorites, as well as the turkey chili. I discovered these on Pinterest, too!

I probably don’t use this board for everything I could, but for me it works. I post pics of women who look like Lucy and Sean, ideas for Max’s tattoo (she has at least two) and settings — like the carriage house where Sean’s friend Colton Thayer lives in STOLEN or the entrance to the FBI Academy at Quantico. I’ve posted some of my daughter’s art, my book covers, and my pets. My neighbor has boards for landscaping ideas and home office organization and how to style her daughter’s hair. Other friends of mine use the board to plan a party, a wedding, or share vacation pictures–or places they want to visit!

Some authors post fabulous model photos, or romantic images. One sexy shot stuck with me so I repinned because it reminded me of my secondary characters in STALKED, FBI Agent Suzanne Madeaux and her ex-boyfriend Detective Joe DeLucca … there may be a story with them soon. At least, I want to write it!

One caveat — you have to be careful about copyright. When in doubt, I click through to the original image to make sure that the person who pinned it could do so. Some photographers like Trey Ratcliff posts his pictures using a creative common license — basically, you can pin and share as long as it’s not commercial (you’re not selling or making money off it.) He’s definitely someone you want to follow on Pinterest!

If you’re new to pinterest, or want some ideas to follow, check the links above, or try these below. And if you have some you think I should follow, let me know! Be inspired or be inspiring!

Me!Chrissy — I have no idea who she is, she has a bunch of boards and over 100,000 followers. She posts mostly on humor and popular culture, I follow maybe half her boards.GRIMM (one of my favorite TV shows)St. Martin’s Press — my publisher. Many publishers have boards. So do bookstores, like the Tattered Cover.Darynda Jones, fellow authors and RITA winner, who finds the BEST STUFF on the Internet! She also has a Jeremy Renner fetish, so if you do, too, you have to check her boards.
And then there’s Etsy, where I found several Christmas presents through their pins. As I see them, I posted them to a private board (you can keep some of your pins to yourself!) so I wouldn’t forget the ideas for Christmas — but where my kids couldn’t see them!

Hi Diane — don’t think about it as making social connections, it’s more about finding things that interest YOU that inspires YOU. My writing boards provide inspiration and sometimes I’ll glance at them to remember something I wanted to write. And because it’s visual, when you post your book covers or repin, and other people repin, it’s more instantaneous recognition than reading a facebook feed. And it really doesn’t take a lot of time. Plus, I’ve found some of my favorite recipes! LOL

I love the idea of a pinterest board per book or per per series. I had thought of creating a “virtual playlist” for each of my books, and this seems kinda in the same vein. What an awesome idea. And my wife L-O-V-E-S pinterest, though I’m not on it, so maybe she can show me how if/when that first book breaks.

Allison,
Interesting! I generally listen to more rock than anything else (be it metal, hard rock, classic, or Christian), but when I’m writing I always listen to the blues. I love the blues, but I’m less likely to start jamming and singing along and lose my place in the story than with rock, I guess.

I’ve had sooo many people try to suck me into pinterest! I have to force myself to stay away. I spend too much time online as it is. I know I would love to search recipes, vacation places, and decorating ideas. Same thing with Etsy. My sister sent me there when I admired a painted canvas she’d ordered. Lots of good stuff!

I understand about the online time — I limit my online time, usually mornings (with coffee — need caffeine before I can write!) lunch, and at night when I’m unwinding. I probably spend less than 1 hour a day online (other than email.)

I’m a Pinterest newbie, well, I’ve had an account since the early stages, but I’m just now getting into the groove. It’s on my list of things to update and explore. I actually really love it–have found recipes, etc. Now, to put something creative about my stories….. And I can’t wait to check out the boards you recommended….darn you. I have a feeling I will become addicted…..

I love Pinterest! It is however very time consuming and makes me feel like I’ve been sucked into a vortex of never ending ideas. I have to be careful because saying I’m going to spend 15 minutes on Pinterest always turns into at least an hour.

I am also addicted to houzz, which is similar to Pinterest but all architecture and interior design. We plan to paint our house in the next six month and I have too many ideas now and I can’t pick a favorite. Check out http://www.houzz.com when you have a minute, it is worth it. 🙂

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Bio:

Allison Brennan

Allison Brennan is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nearly three dozen romantic thrillers and mysteries, including the Lucy Kincaid series and the Max Revere series. She lives in Northern California with her husband, five children, and assorted pets.